JP shoots and kills knife-toting bandit

...I didn’t invite him in here’

Justice of the Peace Don Asgarali speaks to members of the media outside his St James home yesterday. —Photos: CURTIS CHASE

Mark Fraser

nw2208

SCENE IN ST JAMES: The home of Justice of the Peace Don Asgarali at the corner of Kathleen and Bombay Streets in St James where a man who was responsible for several robberies in the area was shot and killed.

Mark Fraser

ONE of the men responsible for several house break-ins and robberies in the St James area was shot dead yesterday morning by a Justice of the Peace (JP) whose home he had broken into with intent to rob.

Up to yesterday evening, the man, who died from a single gunshot wound to the abdomen, remained unidentified.

Investigating officers said only recently the man’s image was captured on closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras as he was carrying out another robbery at a business place in St James.

“But he is not known to police in the Western Division so we could not have made an arrest,” said an investigating officer.

His robbery spree came to a sudden end around 5.30 a.m. after he entered the home of JP Don Asgarali at the corner of Kathleen and Bombay Streets.

Officers said at the time, Asgarali was in his house reading a book when he heard noise coming from the direction of his front door. A short while later the bandit broke in and entered the house. He was armed with a knife.

Police said upon seeing the man in his home, Asgarali pulled out his licensed handgun and fired one shot, hitting the man in the abdomen. He then contacted officers of the St James Police Station. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

A team of officers led by Snr Supt Ishmael David and including Insp Henry Dann and Cpl Farrell went to the house and carried out enquiries. The knife was also recovered.

When the Express visited Asgarali at his home yesterday afternoon, he said he was not willing to comment on the matter, saying it was a police investigation and he did not want to compromise it.

He however said it was always unfortunate whenever a life is lost.

“It is a very, very sad situation but I did not invite him here,” said Asgarali.